


il TvDUCBIS ^3J®S2t "OJ3M3 WSJS'Jk 



REV. BELA JACOBS 5 REPORT 



OF HIS 



TOUR IN THE WESTERN STATES, 



PERFORMED 



IN THE SPRING AND SUMMER OF 1833. 



PRESENTED TO THE 



EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE WESTERN BAPTIST 



EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATION, 



Boston, September 9, 1833, 



33ufcItsSefc &£ orXrer of tje Hpecuttbe Committee, 



Monton: 

J. HOWE, PRINTER; No. 39, MERCHATJNS ROW, 

1833. 






41 

New York City, September 30, 1833. 
At a meeting of the Executive Committee of the American Baptist 
Home Mission Society held this day at the Mission Rooms, Clinton Hall, 
the following resolution was adopted, viz. 

" Resolved, That this Committee consider it as a matter of high mo- 
ment and interest to the cause of Home Missions, that common schools 
and education generally be advanced in the Western States ; and that 
to this end we recommend to all the friends of Home Missions the plan 
and efforts of 'the Western Baptist Educational Association. 5 " 
A true copy of Record, 

Attest, JONATHAN GOING, Cor. Sec'y. 



« 



OJ 5 * Donations for the support of Schools or Education in the West 
will be received by the Treasurer, N. R. Cobb, Esq. No. 28, Kilby St. 
Boston, and appropriated by the Executive Committee agreeably to the 
wishes of the doners. * 



Errata.— On page 14, line 13 from top, for plains read places. 



THE WEST. 

IF YOU WOULD PRESERVE THE MIGHTY WEST, EDUCATE ITS IN- 
HABITANTS, AND TEACH THEM THE FEAR OF THE LORD. 



The Western Baptist Educational Association was organized 
in Boston, at the Lecture Room of the Federal Street Baptist Church, 
on the 30th of May, 1832, and an Executive Committee chosen for the 
purpose of carrying into active efficiency the great object of the or- 
ganization. After repeated application to different individuals, the Com- 
mittee finally succeeded in obtaining a Corresponding Secretary, the 
Rev. Bela Jacobs of Cambridgeport, who, immediately after his ac- 
ceptance of his appointment, left his residence for the Western States, 
and performed during the past summer an extensive tour in that 
country. During this journey Mr. Jacobs not only made himself 
acquainted with the condition, feelings, and wants of the inhabitants, 
but established in all the central and principal places through which he 
passed, Committees of correspondence, who engaged to keep him 
constantly informed respecting the prominent openings for schools, and 
to receive and pay particular attention to all persons whom he may in- 
troduce to them as teachers. It will be perceived from these statements, 
that the great object of the Association, viz. "to promote general educa- 
tion in the Western part of our country" will probably be accomplished 
to some happy extent. At least the Executive Committee are deter- 
mined to discharge the duty assigned them, and if the West find friends 
to aid them in this design, they have no fear that it will fail. 

The Committee are encouraged to prosecute the object of their ap- 
pointment. The Secretary states that he was every where cordially re- 
ceived, and hailed as a friend to the West ; that he was assured by all to 
whom he made known his object, that the true way to benefit the West, is 
to educate its population; and so says every genuine philanthropist, 
and so emphasises every leading statesman of the land. Mr. Jacobs 
was repeatedly requested while in that country, and since his return let- 
ters of the most pressing and entreative character have come to his 
hand, urgently soliciting him to furnish them with the means of educa- 
tion. In a few instances they ask for pecuniary aid ; but in general, 
they ask for suitable and competent teachers, saying, " such teachers we 
are not only willing to support, but anxiously await their arrival" How 
can the Committee help being encouraged when pressed by such re- 
quests, and sustained by such assurances ? 

The Committee do not contemplate a system of operations that will 
require great pecuniary assistance. They ask for no more than a sum 
sufficient to support the Secretary and his correspondence. Numerous 
applications will doubtless be made for such aid, but these will be sub- 
mitted for the patronage of the friends of education. To this course the 



4 thf; west. 

Committee mean to adhere. Feeling the pressure of the times, aware 
of the claims of the Newton Theological Institution, and of the Northern 
Baptist Education Society, they would regret the existence of another 
Educational Body which would require large public contributions for its 
support ; on these, as well as other accounts, they merely intend to meet 
their necessary expenses, full in the belief that having done this, they 
will be able to accomplish an amount of good, not greatly surpassed by 
any of the other benevolent Boards. 

The plan, the Committee have proposed to themselves to pursue, is 
simply to correspond with the most influential persons in the West, in 
reference to the common and higher education of the inhabitants of their 
respective townships and States ; to excite in them a spirit to provide 
for the education of their own children ; to influence them to establish 
schools in every neighbourhood, and academies at convenient distances, 
where not only the branches of an English education shall be taught, 
but instruction given in Bible Theology to all who may desire it, and 
thus gradually prepare the way for the establishment of colleges and 
theological institutions. 

The Committee are not ignorant of the extent of the field, and though 
they can do little towards what must be done, if the West be saved to 
the cause of virtue and piety, yet they will not decline doing that little ; 
they are anxious to do what they can, and through the grace of God, 
they should hope not to be disappointed. The immediate business of 
the Secretary will be, in addition to what has been already stated, to inter- 
est teachers in that portion of the country, and to direct them to such per- 
sons as will place them in immediate employment, where they will be 
able to support themselves. When thus located, they cannot only teach 
the children during the week, but on the Lord's-day instruct them in the 
word of God. They can conduct Bible Classes, and perform to no small 
extent, the duties both of a day school teacher and a Christian Mission- 
ary. It is known to many that there are pious persons, both male and fe- 
male, who are anxious to settle as teachers in the West. They are pre- 
paring themselves for this service, and looking to this Committee for di- 
rection. The Committee anticipate the pleasure soon of seeing them 
thus delightfully employed ; and also of beholding a far greater number 
of the sons and daughters of New England there stationed to teach the 
rising age. 

The Committee desire that it may be distinctly understood, that they 
have good reason to believe that circumstances in the course of a few 
years will justify the union of the objects before them, with the Amer- 
ican Baptist Home Mission Society ; that that Society will see its 
way clear to authorize and instruct all persons in their employ, while 
they attend to what is strictly Missionary, to pay special attention like- 
wise to the Education of the people. Then the necessity of a distinct 
association for this purpose will have ceased ; and then the Committee 
will cheerfully relinquish their active operations, and quietly sit down to 
bless God, that Education and Missions have become united, and consti- 
tute the prominent objects of that Board, to which they in the first place 
principally belonged. 

In behalf of the Executive Committee of the W. B. E. Ass. 

HENRY JACKSON. 
Charlestown, October 15, 1833. 



REPORT, 



TO THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE WESTERN BAPTIST 
EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATION. 

GENTLEMEN, 

Having by your request performed a 
tour in the Western States, as your agent, I deem 
it proper to lay before you the result of my inves- 
tigations ; the plans of operation which have been 
formed ; and the practicability and importance of 
carrying into operation those plans for the promo- 
tion of Education in the West. 

Agreeably to my instructions, I left home on the 
20th of May last, for the purpose of surveying this 
extensive region, and learn, as far as practicable, in 
the time, the state of society ; and especially the 
number and condition of their schools of every 
grade ; to make myself acquainted with the wishes 
of the inhabitants in regard to education ; and as- 
certain the best mode of promoting it. 

It was my purpose to pass through the States 
situated in the Northern part of the great Valley, 
fixing on the most promising places to obtain infor- 
mation ; to form acquaintance with some influential 
persons in the different sections of the country ; 
and establish correspondence at different points. 

It could not be expected that I should be able, in 
the very limited time of three months, to traverse 
this extensive country in its length and breadth, 



Q MR. JACOBS' TOUR TO THE WEST. 

and to go over the whole ground in detail; but 
only to visit the most important places, and to make 
these the central points of operation in their re- 
spective neighbourhoods through agents appointed 
on the spot. 

The following is a brief outline of my journey. 
After visiting the Theological Institution at Ham- 
ilton, N. Y., I passed up the Canal and Lake Erie, 
and landed in Erie, Penn. thus entering the State 
of Ohio, on the N. E. corner. I passed along its 
Northern border through what is called New Con- 
necticut or the Western Reserve, to Cleaveland ; 
thence down through the centre of the State to 
Newark and Granville ; there I took a Western 
course through the counties of Franklin, Madison, 
York and Green to Dayton ; and then down the 
Miami Canal to Cincinnati. After spending a 
week at this place, I started for the far distant West 
on the 10th of July, and descended the Ohio River, 
stopping occasionally at places in Indiana, on the 
right, and Kentucky on the left, until I reached 
Shawnee town in Illinois; where I left the river, 
and crossed the country to Kaskaskia, on the Mis- 
sissippi ; here I crossed the great Western stream, 
and landed in Missouri ; visited St. Genevieve and 
St. Louis in that State, and then passed up the 
river to Alton in Illinois. It was my intention to 
ascend to the upper settlement of this State and to 
visit the rich and rapidly populating counties of 
Morgan and Sangamon; but learning that the 
cholera raged at that time in the principal towns in 
that section, and that there was no public convey- 
ance across the State to Indiana from that quarter, 
I felt myself under the necessity of returning by 



MR. JACOBS' TOUR TO THE WEST fj 

the St. Louis 5 road. I made myself acquainted 
with the state of education in Alton, and with the 
feelings of the inhabitants in regard to the Literary 
and Theological Institution established there ; at- 
tended an Association in Edwardsville, and gained 
the great Eastern road at Rockspring. Thence I 
pursued my journey East to Vincennes in Indiana, 
making the necessary inquiries by the way. 

From Vincennes I ascended the Wabash through 
the principal towns, and then into the interior to 
Indianapolis, and descended again to the Ohio 
through the populous counties of Shelby, Decatur, 
Ripley and Dearborne, and crossing my former 
track at Cincinnati, I passed up the South East 
part of Ohio to Wheeling, where I took leave of 
the Western Valley. 

I travelled in the four States which compose the 
Northern half of this extensive vale, rising of 2000 
miles ; and in all my route more than 3300 miles. 
I have great reason to express my gratitude to the 
great Preserver of men, who has preserved me 
from all dangers, and especially amidst wasting dis- 
ease and pestilential death, to which multitudes fell 
victims during the past season. 

My health, particularly during the latter part 
of the time, was poor, owing in a great measure, 
probably, to the bad qualities of the water, the ex- 
cessive heat of the season, and the very general 
prevalence of cholera influence all over the West. 

Being dependent on public conveyances, and 
restricted in regard to time, I was unable to visit 
several places which I considered important ; when 
this was the case, however, I endeavoured to make 
amends by opening a correspondence with some 



3 MR. JACOBS 7 TOUR TO THE WEST. 

prominent and influential persons, soliciting infor- 
mation from them, and engaging their co-operation 
in the efforts of the Society, 

STATE OF SOCIETY AJND EDUCATION. 

I am persuaded that descriptions of the West 
have been overwrought, and in many instances the 
colouring has been too high. Some tourists from 
the East with a warm imagination and glowing 
fancy have painted the country as a paradise ; while 
others, to awaken, perhaps, the sympathies of the 
East in behalf of their moral and religious im- 
provement, have underrated the morals of the in- 
habitants of the West, and have exhibited them in 
the light of semi-barbarians. The truth is evident- 
ly between these two extremes. 

They have undoubtedly many natural advan- 
tages, and an exceedingly good land ; but, like the 
most of our earth since the primeval curse, there 
are found " thorns and briars" also. On the other 
hand, the morals of the people are not so low as 
they have too often been represented to be. In 
this respect, I am persuaded, they w r ould bear a 
comparison with some other parts of our country 
more highly distinguished by external privileges 
than they. Boatmen upon their waters, and loun- 
gers, for the most part foreigners, at the public 
inns should not be received as a fair specimen of 
the inhabitants. This would not be admitted of 
any country, and much resembles the ill-natured 
strictures on our national character which are some- 
times made by writers on the other side of the 
Atlantic. It is from a wish to rescue the good peo- 
ple of the West from some of the foul aspersions 



STATE OF SOCIETY AND EDUCATION. 9 

cast upon them, and to disabuse the public, that I 
make these remarks. 

When it is considered that they are all stran- 
gers on the soil which they inhabit, that they came 
from every State in the Union, and from almost 
every kingdom in Europe, bringing with them all 
the peculiarities of their views, their national and 
sectional prejudices; and when the destitution of 
these means which improve the morals and secure 
the elevation of society are taken into the account, I 
think it will rather appear Surprising that the stand- 
ard of morals is no lower. True, they cannot pre- 
sent that array of churches or meeting-houses, of 
academies and schools, which are found in the old 
States at the East, yet there are beginnings of 
these things which promise well for time to come ; 
and many very worthy, intelligent and pious per- 
sons, who are exerting a salutary influence on the 
community, are scattered through all the region. 
Letters of agents, circulated in the periodicals and 
public journals representing the inhabitants of the 
West in the lowest state of degradation, have gone 
back to them and have had a powerful influence in 
prejudicing some worthy characters against the be- 
nevolent operations of the East. 

In relation to schools, it may be said in general, 
that the inhabitants are anxious for their establish- 
ment and improvement ; and I was every where 
cordially received and treated with politeness when 
my object was made known. All acknowledged 
that the promoters of this charity, were seeking 
the greatest good of the West. There are excep- 
tions to this general sentiment. Persons are met 
with who care but little for the education of their 
2 



] MR. JACOBS' TOUR TO THE WEST. 

families; but such persons maybe found every 
where, and this darkness the light of education 
must chase away. 

It is well known that the first emigrants to the 
West, as to most new countries, are those who seek 
mainly the good things of this world; they are al- 
lured to the Great Valley by the cheapness of the 
land, the luxuriance of the soil, and the ease w r ith 
which a livelihood can be obtained. To persons of 
this description, literary and religious privileges, if 
valued at all, are but secondary considerations ; yet, 
interspersed with these, are many who have been 
reared under the fostering hand of literary and re- 
ligious education, who are desirous of seeing foun- 
dations of these things laid in the West, and are 
ready to lend their aid according to their ability. 
There is much doing, but yet there is a wide and 
extending field unoccupied, which, like their own 
luxuriant soil, invites cultivation. 

In presenting a compressed view of what is 
now doing, and of the necessities of this wide 
spread region, I begin with 

Ohio This State, in comparison of its sister 

States West of it, may be called an old State. Ohio, 
as might be expected, is far in advance of them in 
her literary Institutions. Several Colleges are in 
successful operation ; and schools of every grade 
are found here. In that part of the State, however, 
denominated the Western Reserve or New Connecti- 
cut, which includes eight counties situated on the 
lake shore, between Sandusky-bay and the Penn- 
sylvania line, common schools are perhaps more 
numerous and better conducted than in any other 
equal part of the State. In ail the Western States 



STATE OF SOCIETY AND EDI CATION. 



11 



there is a reservation of one section of land (one 
thirty-sixth part) in each township for school pur- 
poses. In addition to this, Ohio assesses by law, 
three-fourths of a mill on the dollar upon all taxa- 
ble property for the same purposes. But, to show 
how inadequate this provision is for the education 
of her children, I need only advert to an official 
statement lately made, that the disbursements in 
the year 1832 from the school funds, were only 95 
cents per head for every pupil cf suitable age to 
attend school. There are, however, many private 
schools ; and, in some of the cities and large towns, 
they are well supported. Still there is evidently 
a large number of children who are not brought 
under instruction, and are, consequently, growing 
up in ignorance. If a statement made in the 
" Western Magazine" be correct, one fourth of 
their whole population is necessarity precluded the 
benefit of their schools. It is stated in the July 
number of that w r ork, that there are 250.000 Ger- 
mans in the State of Ohio, who, as it is implied, use 
the German language. I could not learn that there 
were any schools established among them in their 
own language. Being thus precluded from partici- 
pating in the English schools, and destitute of Ger- 
man schools, the present generation, at least, must 
grow up in ignorance. If it is said that most of 
these are Catholics, this will only show the subject 
to be more serious. 

The Baptists as a denomination, have but little 
visible influence in directing the operations of ed- 
ucation in this State. They are, however, begin- 
ning to appreciate its importance, as it regards 
both the ministry and the children of their con- 
gregations. 



12 



MR. JACOBS' TOUR TO THE WEST. 



The educational operations at Granville are cer- 
tainly very praise-worthy, and already promise 
much to our denomination, and will soon reflect 
great honour on the friends of correct principles 
and sound learning in this young, but large and ris- 
ing commonwealth. I was delighted with what I 
saw in this place. The state of this infant Institu- 
tion far exceeded my expectations, and I am per- 
suaded that the friends of education at the East 
have not fully appreciated the importance of this 
Institution, and the immense influence w T hich it 
may be made to exert not only over this State, but 
on all the West. The friends and patrons of this 
Institution amidst many discouragements and ad- 
verse providences have manifested a becoming zeal, 
and have gone forward in their laudable efforts with 
steady perseverance. They have reared up a new 
and commodious edifice from the ashes of the late 
conflagration, and already have it filled with stu- 
dents. At a late convention, they pledged them- 
selves to wipe off an embarrassing debt of $ 6000. 
And it is fervently hoped that means may be devis- 
ed to increase their funds, and enlarge their opera- 
tions. The professors and teachers are entitled to 
great praise for their arduous and untiring labours. 
There are now r in a course of study eighty-eight 
young men and lads, seventy-four of whom are pur- 
suing classical studies, and fourteen are English 
scholars. From twenty-five to thirty are hopefully 
pious, and about twenty are looking forward to the 
ministry. There is an excellent farm attached to 
the Institution, and they are erecting work-shops. 
As the manual labour system can here be carried 
into full operation, great facilities may thus be af- 
forded to young men of small pecuniary means. 



STATE Ob SOCIETY AiND EDUCATE [3 

There is also in the village, an academy or high 
school for young ladies, under the patronage of the 
Baptists. Mr. Poland from Mass. is the princi- 
pal. This school, though but lately commenced, 
already numbers between thirty and forty in the 
upper department, and nearly as many in the pri- 
mary. I look upon these Institutions as promising 
great good to our denomination in the West. 

Measures should be taken immediately to estab- 
lish a high school of the first grade at Cincinnati on 
the South, and at Cleaveland on the North. Nor 
would there be any difficulty, it is presumed, in 
sustaining such schools, if suitable persons would 
undertake on their own responsibility. Besides 
these places, which are of the first importance, 
there are many pleasant towns and villages, where 
High Schools might be opened with encouraging 
prospects. Common and primary schools may be 
established with ease all over the State. 

Indiana In this State, things are somewhat 

different, the State is comparatively new T , and the 
literary institutions are in their infancy. Several, 
perhaps three Colleges have been incorporated, 
however ; but one only is, I believe, in successful 
operation. 

This State seems not to have attracted so much 
attention at the East as Illinois ; but it certainly 
presents a more important field of immediate labour, 
than the sister State West of it, as it has more than 
double the population, on a space equal to about 
one half of the territory of Illinois. Besides, from 
the, number of its towns and villages it furnishes 
more important points for fixed missionary and 
school operations than the other State can for a 



|4 MR. JACOBS' TOUR TO THE WEST. 

considerable time. There are on the Ohio, and 
stretching up the banks of the Wabash, and on the 
Eastern side of the State, many very pleasant and 
thriving towns, w 7 here schools can be established, 
and where ministers should be stationed. Through 
a number of these towns I passed, and constantly 
felt deep regret that no more was doing, either for 
the enlightening of the rising generation or the sal- 
vation of the inhabitants. 

The Baptists in this State, very generally neg- 
lect the towns or villages, leaving them to be occu- 
pied by others. Schools of some kind w 7 ere found 
in almost all of the plains I visited; but few, how- 
ever, were of a permanent kind or of an elevated 
rank. There is one peculiarity in the regulations 
of this State concerning schools. The Legislature 
has adopted a course which will make crime aid the 
cause of education, by directing that all fines and 
forfeitures arising from criminal causes, in the re- 
spective counties, shall go to constitute a common 
fund for the support of a county school of a high 
standing. In some of the counties, this already 
amounts to a considerable sum, and they are erect- 
ing seminaries, and are in want of competent 
teachers. The whole State presents a wide field for 
the establishment of common and primary schools. 

The infant city of Indianapolis, may be named 
as an important station for an English High School. 

One thing in the prospects of our denomina- 
tion in this State is very encouraging. They are 
uniting their energies, and blending their efforts for 
their mutual improvement. The churches and 
brethren of the right stamp (and I am happy to 
say there are many such in the State,) formed a 



STATE OK SOCIETY 1ND EDUCATION. 



15 



convention last spring, " for the purpose of pro- 
moting the spread of the gospel ;" and they are 
now taking measures to form an Education Society. 
It is fervently hoped, that in a short time, Indiana 
will not only have its Education Society, but its 
Literary and Theological Institution, adapted to 
the wants of the denomination, established and in 
successful operation. 

Illinois This extensive State presents a wide 

field for benevolent operations of every kind, and 
especially those connected with popular educa- 
tion. There are a few foundations for literary in- 
stitutions laid, but they are for the most part small. 
The College at Jacksonville, under the control of 
the Pedo-baptists, is said to be well endowed, and 
in progress, but has not yet been able to obtain a 
charter. 

The Baptists are commencing a Literary and 
Theological Institution at Upper Alton, a place 
most happily situated in the very centre of opera- 
tions, not only in relation to this State, but also the 
immense State of Missouri. The trustees have 
purchased a farm of between three and four hun- 
dred acres, and erected a small edifice of sufficient 
magnitude for present purposes ; but are entirely 
destitute of funds. 

The prospect is that could this Institution but 
go into operation with several competent teachers, 
it would soon have a number of young men in 
training for teachers for this destitute region, and 
for preachers of the gospel. 

When w r e take into consideration the remote 
situation of this State ; the rapid stream of emigra- 
tion flowing into it ; the certainty that her sons will 



\Q MR. JACOBS' TOUR TO THE WEST. 

not, at least for many years, seek an education 
abroad ; that the sons of the church will be thrust 
into the ministry without education, and that con- 
sequently the present lamentable ignorance will be 
continued and increased, unless there is some reme- 
dy devised ; and when the central situation of Mton 
in the midst of a rapidly growing population of the 
friends of improvement, is taken into the account, 
it is confidently believed that the friends of edu- 
cation, the friends of their country, the friends of 
religion, will come forward and aid this infant in- 
stitution. 

Here the sons of Baptists who are at present op- 
posed to the benevolent operations of the day will 
resort from all parts of the State, and have their 
prejudices subdued, their sectional jealousies done 
away, and their minds enlightened ; and will re- 
turn to scatter light, and dissipate the darkness 
which now rests upon the minds of this large pro- 
portion of the denomination. If a stranger come 
in among them from the East, with enlightened 
views, they are suspicious and full of jealousy ; if 
he proceed in a manner diverse from their plan of 
acting, they oppose ; they sound the alarm ; he is 
deserted and left to stand alone. But it would, 
probably, soon be far different, if their own sons, 
nursed in the bosom of their churches, should re- 
ceive an enlightened education and return to la- 
bour among them. 

I did not learn that there is any other public 
provision for the support of schools in this State, 
except the usual section of land, which, in the pres- 
ent state of the country, can yield but little ; in 
most places nothing. Education, therefore, is to be 



STATE OF SOCIETY AND EDUCATION. 



17 



supported by the voluntary contributions of the 
inhabitants ; and, owing to the sparse population, 
(only three to a square mile,) it is not to be ex- 
pected that schools can be very numerous or well 
supported. There are, however, in all their coun- 
ty towns, schools at least for a part of the year ; 
and even in their thinly scattered settlements 
around their wide spread praries, I was astonished 
to find schools. In more than one instance, I pass- 
ed a log school-house apparently full of scholars 
with a male instructer and not a habitation in sight. 

The plan of an itinerating school-master who 
should meet successively several classes on a cir- 
cuit, was suggested to me prior to my leaving home; 
but I could not learn that there were any such in 
operation in that part of the State over which I 
travelled. Such a plan, however, is well adapted 
to a large portion of Illinois. 

Their numerous and wide spread prairies neces- 
sarily divide the people and keep them separate. 
They build their cabins in the edge of the woods, 
and extend their fields into the prairie ; the cotta- 
ges are seen scattered around the margin, as on the 
shores of a lake. In such an arrangement of a 
school, it is thought that instruction would be car- 
ried to a class of children who would not otherwise 
obtain it, and at an expense which would be readi- 
ly met by their parents, as a teacher furnished with 
a horse, might meet with ease half a dozen classes at 
given points in the course of the w r eek. I expect 
that this plan will be commenced before long in 
some parts of the State. 

We cannot take our leave of Illinois without 
expressing our conviction that this extensive State 
3 



18 MR. JACOBS' TOUR TO THE WEST. 

is destined to exert, at no far distant day, a power- 
fid influence over the great Valley of the West. 
A slight glance at the geographical situation will 
show the truth of this remark. This State, com- 
prising an area of 52,000 square miles, washed on 
every side by the largest rivers of one of the largest 
valleys in the world, possesses almost unlimited ca- 
pabilities for sustaining an immense population ; 
while the facilities for trade afforded by its noble 
streams, together with the rapidity of its growth 
hitherto, are auguries of its future importance. 

It should be remembered that Illinois has the 
Wabash, a stream of 500 miles in length on the 
East ; the silvery waters of the Ohio bathe its 
Southern shore; the mighty "father of waters" is 
on its whole Western border ; while its own river, 
the Illinois, flows almost through its centre, con- 
necting the Mississippi with Lake Michigan on the 
North. The ease with which, by means of these 
streams, and their tributaries, communication is car- 
ried on between this and the neighbouring States, 
will have a favourable effect in attracting emigrants, 
and promoting the trade of the State. 

All these considerations induce us to believe 
that this State will stamp its impress on those 
around it; and we cannot dismiss the conviction 
that the moral condition of this generation will be 
the mould into which the character of the future 
millions of this great Valley will be cast. 

Missouri In relation to this State, I can say 

but little. I could only visit it at two points on the 
Mississippi, viz. at St. Genevieve and St. Louis ; 
but judging from what I saw, and by all that I could 
learn from others in regard to the whole of this 



STATE OF SOCIETY AND EDUCATION. 



19 



large State, it presents a great and good field for 
benevolent effort, and calls aloud for missionary and 
literary cultivation. 

The population is rapidly increasing up the 
Missouri ; for the passion for emigration to the West 
is as ardent in Illinois and Indiana as in Massachu- 
setts. While, therefore, this tide of emigration is 
moving off some of the first settlers of those States 
for the farther West, unless they are accompanied, 
or followed by missionaries and teachers, still 
grosser darkness must rest upon Missouri than now 
covers a part of the States East of the Mississippi. 
The city of St. Louis is too important in every 
sense to be relinquished by the Baptists, and yet 
it must be lost to them, unless something more effi- 
cient be speedily done to secure the post. It is 
already a large and growing place, and situated as 
it is at the confluence of those mighty rivers the 
Mississippi and Missouri, it must exert a powerful 
influence on all the region. 

The Baptist interest here is very low, but it is 
hoped that something will soon be done to revive 
it. If a high school for both sexes could be estab- 
lished here under the superintendence of a compe- 
tent teacher, and which would not be exorbitant 
in the price of tuition, it would doubtless draw 
many Protestant children and even the children 
of Baptists from the nunneries and other Catholic 
schools, and place them under a more healthy 
moral influence. 

Such a school could be established, if a per- 
son of suitable qualifications would but under- 
take it. 



20 MR. JACOBS' TOUR TO THE WEST. 

DIFFICULTIES TO RE EJN COUNTERED. 

Ignorance is the first great obstacle in the way 
of imparting knowledge every where ; but here it 
must be expected not qnly in the child, but in the 
adult. It will be found combined with strong 
prejudice in the parent, which must be met and 
scattered. Minds, like their native soil, will be 
found in all the roughness of nature ; and the men- 
tal cultivation must be commenced accordingly, not 
by presenting the most elevated standard, but by 
descending to their level, and rising with them to 
the desired elevation. 

The want of proper books, in all the elementary 
branches of education, is seriously felt in many 
parts. In some places books cannot be obtained. 
In others they cannot be introduced, unless at the 
expense of the teachers, or furnished him by some 
remote benevolence. A charity which would fur- 
nish depositories of suitable books for primary and 
common schools, at proper points, either at low pri- 
ces or for gratuitous distribution, would, in my opin- 
ion, be well directed. But one of the greatest ob- 
stacles to the promotion of education, at least of the 
right kind, in the West, and which should awaken 
the energies of the East in their behalf, is the silent 
and insidious, but yet zealous and powerful efforts 
of the Catholics. They are evidently doing a great 
work, and are urging forward in a secret, but sys- 
tematic manner, what many of them doubtless 
think their pious purpose, the conquest of the West 
They have men and money and spare neither. 

Their colleges, and high schools and nunneries, 
where teachers are trained for schools of every 
grade, are already numerous and well endowed, 



DIFFICULTIES TO BE ENCOUNTERED. 



21 



and are rapidly multiplying through all this vale. 
There is a Catholic College at St. Louis ; another 
80 miles below at Bais Brale Battom, and one at 
Bardstown in Kentucky, and one erecting in Mich- 
igan. They have high schools established at Cin- 
cinnati, and at St. Genevieve. Thus the upper 
half of the valley seems to be completely surround- 
ed. Nunneries are numerous. There is one at 
St. Louis; one has recently been commenced at 
Kaskaskia, the ancient capital of Illinois ; and at 
Vincennes, in Indiana, I understand, a company of 
the " holy sisters" was just beginning an establish- 
ment. Most of these places I visited in order to 
ascertain, if possible, the influence which they were 
likely to have on the Protestant population. In all 
their Institutions they are training and sending 
forth multitudes of teachers both male and female. 
Their teachers are doubtless well qualified as it 
regards scientific attainments ; and to a good educa- 
tion they add great suavity of manners and a courte- 
ous address ; they can conciliate the affections of 
all, by becoming all things to all men, and thus gain 
some to submit to their influence. They receive 
very cordially protestant children, and promise not 
to interfere with their creed, or religious opinions ; 
thus covertly and unsuspected by even their neigh- 
bours, they are spreading their wiles and extend- 
ing their influence. And, while they furnish equal- 
ly as good, not to say better instruction in science 
at a cheaper rate, than their protestant neighbours, 
they cannot but gain a powerful ascendency. Prot- 
estants, who send their children to Catholic schools, 
are not aware of the danger, as there is no direct 



Q2 MR - JACOBS' TOUR TO THE WEST. 

attack made upon their sentiments. The conse- 
quences may be seen, when it is too late to remedy 
the evil. This is now the case, I am informed, 
with several families in the Western valley, and 
the evil may be expected to increase. 

This powerful and systematic array of means 
must be met by energetic efforts on the part of 
Protestants, or soon those who w r ish for Protestant 
privileges must seek them elsewhere ; this is now 
the case in Kaskaskia, the ancient capital of Illinois, 
and the Protestant families are all leaving the place. 

Catholics not only have the majority in many 
towns, but this is true, if I was rightly informed, in 
some entire counties, even in Ohio. 

While Europe then is constantly pouring her 
thousands into the valley, and Catholic colleges and 
seminaries are training and sending forth teachers 
by hundreds, shall the Protestants of this land of 
Protestant freedom slumber and sleep 1 Will not 
Baptists, who have always highly esteemed the 
blessing of civil and religious liberty, put forth 
their aid to rear a barrier to this swelling inunda- 
tion which threatens to sweep away their choicest 
rights, to overspread the fairest portion of our coun- 
try with destructive errors, and to destroy our fond 
hopes of the rising glory of the church in America? 

QUALIFICATIONS OF TEACHERS. 

Those, who go to the West in* the capacity of 
teachers, should be w r ell qualified for their respec- 
tive duties. In general, the same attainments are 
necessary there as here, for the various departments 
of teaching ; but beside their mental acquirements, 



QUALIFICATIONS OF TEACHERS. £3 

certain other qualifications are all-important. It is 
very desirable that they should have acquired some 
experience ; should know something of human na- 
ture, and be able to read men as well as books. 
Teachers in the West, it is presumed, have failed 
in this point more than in any other. Inexpe- 
rienced persons, in many instances, have gone forth 
to lay foundations which required "wise master 
builders." 

They should be persons of decided piety, and 
mainly anxious for the spiritual welfare of their 
pupils. They should be capable of originating and 
superintending Sabbath Schools, and their hearts 
must be much in that work. In many places they 
would be remote from the stated worship on the 
Lord's-day. Hence a constant service might be 
kept up with the children of the settlement. The 
parents and others might be invited to attend ; and 
thus the school teacher will be an efficient mission- 
ary without the odium of the name. 

But it is indispensable that teachers, who enter 
upon this w r ork, should possess great firmness and 
decision of character. They should be persons 
who can patiently endure hardness and privation, 
and be willing to labour in hope, and look for a 
reward at a future day ; or be content to receive it 
in the conscientiousness of doing good. 

Several have gone forth to labour in this depart- 
ment in the West, with much zeal, but, on being 
put down in the Western forests, have soon be- 
come discontented, and discouraged ; and have sigh- 
ed for the society and privileges which they left 
behind. Such persons, after labouring awhile with 



24 



MR. JACOBS' TOUR TO THE WEST. 



no comfort and little profit, have been /obliged to 
relinquish their task. But I am happy to say that 
this is not the case with all. There are many wor- 
thy teachers, both male and female, who are urging 
forward with patient efforts, and good success the 
great work of education, and I hope, their num- 
bers will be speadily increased many fold. 

THE IMPORTANCE OF GREATER EXERTIONS FOR THE PROMOTION 
OF EDUCATION IN THE WEST. 

Every person of sober reflection must be per- 
suaded that education, properly conducted, must be 
of immense importance to the rising generation of 
our country, as intelligence and piety, under God, 
must be the palladium of our civil liberties, and the 
hope of the Church. The lover of his country 
cannot but tremble for its rights, its civil and re- 
ligious privileges, when he witnesses the thousands 
of foreigners who are continually pouring into the 
great valley through all her open gates. But what 
will another generation present, when these, swell- 
ed by natural increase, and augmented by constant 
emigration from the old continent, shall amount to 
millions 1 and especially, if it be correct, as is con- 
fidently believed, that the West will shortly wield 
the destinies of this great nation ; how important 
then, that they should be an intelligent and virtu- 
ous people. 

We have seen that Germany has sent a quarter 
of a million to Ohio ; if this is intended to be re- 
stricted to Germany proper, then already one third 
of the population of this large and growiug State 
are foreigners. 



GREATER EXERTIONS \U ESSAR1 25 

In the streets of Cincinnati more languages are 
spoken, it is presumed, than in any one city on the 
continent. Settlements of strangers are rapidly 
multiplying through all the vale ; and another gen- 
eration will doubtless witness millions covering; 
their rich and fertile plains, and surrounding their 
mighty rivers. And shall they not be cared for ? 

The Christian philanthropist stretches his views 
to distant climes, and takes thought for the chil- 
dren of heathen far away. We send out, at great 
expense, teachers, and support schools in the far- 
ther India, and we do well ; but shall we overlook 
the swelling thousands of children in our own 
States, and leave them destitute of wholesome 
knowledge, and that only which can benefit their 
souls? every proper consideration and sanctified 
motive would forbid it. 

No! we will enlighten our sons at home, and 
spread, at the same time, the light of knowledge 
and salvation to distant lands. 

It is computed that a small amount of means 
in this department of charity, properly managed, 
will accomplish a vast amount of good. Channels 
are now cut out to all the prominent points of the 
great valley, and correspondents selected who feel 
interested in the accomplishment of the object, and 
persons desirous of going to the West, can be di- 
rected to the most suitable sections of the coun- 
try and recommended to persons who will use 
their influence to procure them situations. Be- 
sides, on the educational enterprise must essentially 
depend the success of all other benevolent operations 
in the West. Sabbath Schools are intimately 
4 



26 



■MR. JACOBS' TOUR TO THE WEST. 



connected with it, and cannot be generally car- 
ried forward, or be efficient without it, owing 
to the paucity of persons suitable for teachers 
and superintendents. But with this society in op- 
eration, every teacher sent forth may be considered 
the erection of a Sabbath School in the West, The 
circulation of Bibles and religious tracts can only 
be of use as they are read ; but if knowledge be 
kept from the rising generation, these will be seal- 
ed books to them. 

The Home Missionary Society will not only be 
greatly aided by this Society, in all its operations, 
but of so great importance is it, that the Missiona- 
ry enterprise could hope to accomplish but little 
without it, in those parts where the ground is not 
yet brought under cultivation. 

On the whole, from all I saw, and from all that I 
could learn in the four States composing the upper 
half of the valley, I am persuaded there is no mode 
of benevolent operation where the same amount of 
means might be made productive of so much good to 
our country, to the common cause of Protestantism 
and to the Baptist interest, as by the establishment 
of an efficient Western School Society. Its opera- 
tions would be going on silently, but permanently. 
It would be an acceptable service to the great mass 
of the population for whom it is intended, it would 
gain access where our preachers could not, and well 
prepare the way for the introduction of the gospel. 

It is presumed, there. is a large amount of unoccu- 
pied talent in the East. In almost all our churches 
are found persons well qualified to carry forward 
these important operations in the West, where they 



27 GREATER EXERTIONS NECESSARY. 

are greatly needed. We call, therefore, upon those 
persons who wish to be useful to the cause of Christ, 
and to serve their country in the best sense, to come 
forward ; and we call upon the churches to aid in 
this great and benevolent enterprise. 

BELA JACOBS. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 

019 623 480 9 



EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE WESTERN BAPTIST 
EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATION. 

Rev. CYRUS PITT GROSVENER, Salem, Chairman. 
Rev. JONATHAN ALDRICH, East Cambridge, Rec. Sec'y. 
Rev. BELA JACOBS, Cambridgeport, Cor. Secretary. 
NATHANIEL R. COBB, Esq. Boston, Treasurer. 
Rev. HENRY JACKSON, Charlestown, 
DAVID R. GRIGGS, Esq. Boston, 
JOHN K. SIMPSON, Esq. Boston. 



OC/^All persons who desire to become teachers in the 
West can obtain information concerning the best locations, 
&c. on application to the Rev. Mr. Jacobs, Corresponding 
Secretary, of the Executive Committee of the Western 
Baptist Educational Association, at his residence in Cam- 
bridgeport. 

05^ Letters desiring information concerning common 
schools or education in the Western Country may be ad- 
dressed to Rev. Bela Jacobs, Cambridgeport, Middlesex 
County, Massachusetts. 



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